Max offers Festival conundrum

Talented novice 'between trips' for Cheltenham

Last updated: 14th January 2009

Max offers Festival conundrum

Henderson: Headache

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Nicky Henderson will keep his options open regarding the Cheltenham target for Mad Max after his promising novice landed the Rutland Antique Centre Bakewell Novices' Hurdle at Newbury on Wednesday.

The huge seven-year-old needed to be ridden out by Tony McCoy to record a three-and-a-half length victory over Pause And Clause in the 2m3f event, leaving the trainer with a conundrum.

"He needs to relax a lot better but Tony says he is very, very good," said Henderson.

"If it was softish ground again we might want to drop back to two miles but if it is good or faster at Cheltenham he would want to go two and a half.

"I'm afraid we have to sit on the fence at the moment. Knowing the ground on the first day at Cheltenham, if I had to have a bet I'd say two miles, but we'll sit down and think about it.

"His palate is pretty suspect. We have had to have it done before and he'll need it doing again - that only takes two weeks so it's not a problem.

"I'd probably give him another run, or we'll arrange a Henderson-ish preparation at home."

The Seven Barrows handler completed a treble on the afternoon with Optimus Maximus (11-4) picking up the Berkshire Stand Bookshop Juvenile Novices' Hurdle and Zazamix (7-2) the closing bumper.